The Columbia Falls Teachers Union recently announced recipients of 2011-12 teachers of the year awards:

Brooke Nelson, Columbia Falls High School.

Jenny Stone, Columbia Falls Junior High.

Shannon Sommers, Ruder Elementary School.

Kristy Gange, Glacier Gateway Elementary.

After 33 years of teaching (31 years with the Columbia Falls School District), Nelson has retired and plans to teach art at Flathead Valley Community College. Nelson holds a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from the University of Oregon.

With 29 years of experience, Stone has spent the last four years teaching in the district. Next fall, she will teach art at Columbia Falls Junior High. Stone has degrees in art and home economics from Boise State University.

Sommers has 22 years with the district out of a total of 24 years of teaching experience. She will teach kindergarten at Ruder Elementary in the fall. Sommers holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Western Montana College.

Gange has taught for 14 years in the district. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin and a Master of Education from Lesley University with an emphasis in educational technology.

Colleagues from each respective building voted on candidates for the honors.